August 2016 Wrap-Up + Book Haul

Goodbye August, and hello September!

August was a good month for me reading wise!  I managed to read a total of 7 books, which is good for me.  I usually average around 5 books per month, so I squeezed an extra 2 books in this month.  I also did a great job at following my August 2016 TBR list… I usually have a hard time following monthly TBR lists, so I am super proud of myself!  I hope to keep this trend going in September.  The only book I didn’t get to on my August TBR was Little Nothing by Marisa Silver, which I started today and have high hopes for.

It was a productive month for me on the blog as well.  I posted 8 book reviews, which is a lot for me.  I hope to post at least another 8 book reviews in September.  I also celebrated my 6 month blogiversary, which you can read more about here → 6 Month Blogiversary: Reflection + Future Goals.  I also hit over 200 WordPress followers just in time for my 6 month mark, which I am thrilled to death over.  I cannot wait to see what the next 6 months have in store for me 🙂

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Books Read in August:

»Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne (J.K. Rowling & John Tiffany)

Amazon • Goodreads

You can read my review here → Book Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne (J.K. Rowling & John Tiffany)

I know this book was a big disappointment for many people. If you have yet to read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and have reservations due to the mixed reviews, I encourage you to read my review as I discuss some things to take into consideration before reading this book.

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» The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Amazon • Goodreads

You can read my review here → Book Review: The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4) by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven King was a big let down for me.  I adored the first 3 books in the series, but the conclusion was very anti-climatic.  I felt there were just too many things left unresolved.

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» The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel

Amazon • Goodreads

You can read my review here → Book Review: The Summer that Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel

This book is one of my favorite reads of 2016!  I dare say it is going to be my #1 book that I read in 2016.

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» The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry

Amazon • Goodreads

You can read my review here → Book Review: The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry

I thought this was a cute YA fantasy/romance.  I enjoyed Emily Henry’s writing and found the plot to be creative and original.

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 » The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Amazon • Goodreads

The Nightingale was AMAZING!  I have no idea why I put off reading this book for as long as I did.  I knew I was going to love it.  When my book club selected this as our August read, I was very excited because it forced me to finally sit down and read it.  Review to come soon!

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» Starflight by Melissa Landers

Amazon • Goodreads

I knew  early on that this book was not going to be my cup of tea.  I don’t necessarily think it is a bad book, or poorly written, it’s just not my style.  There were a few parts that I enjoyed (like the space pirates) however I was underwhelmed with the science fiction elements.  Review to come soon.

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» Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

Amazon • Goodreads

I know this book is pretty hit or miss for most people, but I for one laughed my ass off.  You definitely have to have a certain type of humor for this book.  If you are easily offended, this is not going to be the book for you.  Review to come soon!

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Other Book Reviews in August:

Book Review: Magruder’s Curiosity Cabinet by H.P. Wood

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Book Review: The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

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Book Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater

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Book Review: The Problem with Forever by Jennifer Armentrout

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Other Blog Posts:

» Top Ten Tuesdays

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’d Buy If Given a Fully Loaded Gift Card

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Club Reads

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Have Been Collecting Dust On My Shelf

» Top 5 Wednesdays

Top 5 Wednesday: Books Set in Ohio

Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite Opening Lines

Top 5 Wednesday: Books I Want to Read Before 2017

Top 5 Wednesday: Books I Will Never Read

» Weekly Wrap-Ups

Weekly Wrap-Up: 8/1 – 8/7/16

Weekly Wrap-Up: 8/8 – 8/14/16

Weekly Wrap-Up: 8/15 – 8/21/16

Weekly Wrap-Up: 8/22 – 8/28/16

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August Book Haul:

» Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz

» The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

» River, Cross My Heart  by Breena Clarke

» The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

» Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

» I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

» The Imperial Wife by Irina Reyn

» Distant Shores by Kristin Hannah

» Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

» A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2) by Sabaa Tahir

*I actually haven’t read the first book in the  An Ember in the Ashes series but I was at the book store on the release day for A Torch Against the Night and they had autographed copies…  I bought a copy, then went home and ordered the first book off Amazon.  I feel no shame.

Aside from The Imperial Wife (ARC book), Truly Madly Guilty, and A Torch Against the Night, the rest of my August book haul is from thrift store finds.  Many of the books in this month’s book haul are books that have been featured on Oprah’s Book Club.  Not that I am a member of her book club, but I think Oprah really knows how to pick a good book!  Plus many of her book club selections will help me in my goal to read more diverse books.

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  What books did you read in August?

Have you read any of the books in my August book haul?  What were your thoughts?